Providing contact data in a wireless telecommunication system

ABSTRACT

Providing contact data in a wireless telecommunication system comprises receiving a contact data record from a first mobile device and storing the contact data record in a contact database remote from the mobile device. A selection can be received remotely for the contact data record from a second mobile device. The contact data record can be transmitted to the second mobile device for storage in its memory.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/425,405, filed Jun. 21, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,869,820, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/272,795, filed Oct. 17,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,996, the entireties of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to systems and methods for providingcontact data in a wireless telecommunication system, and moreparticularly, to systems and methods for remotely providing contact datato mobile stations in a wireless telecommunication system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of telephone products and systems in the day-to-day lives ofmost people is continually growing. With the advent and steady growth ofwireless telecommunications, wireless telecommunication systems willincreasingly be utilized for not only voice data, but also for sendingand receiving packetized data for use on the Internet, for example. Inan effort to lower operating costs and increase value for itssubscribers, wireless telecommunication providers wish to remotelyprovide contact data to mobile stations in the wirelesstelecommunication system. Wireless telecommunication system subscribersrealize a time and a cost savings by remotely receiving contact data atmobile stations in the wireless telecommunication system.

Therefore, the need to efficiently provide contact data in wirelesstelecommunication systems has become a common need for many wirelesstelecommunication providers. More specifically, providing contact datato mobile stations in a wireless telecommunication system has become acritical service for many wireless telecommunication providers. This isbecause in an increasingly competitive environment, meeting andexceeding the expectations of subscribers or others who receive servicesis essential for a wireless telecommunication provider.

One solution to the contact data problem is for a wireless subscriber toreprogram contact data manually into a mobile station. For example, whena subscriber switches, loses, or has a mobile station stolen, thecontact data within the memory of the mobile station remains with themobile station. When the subscriber replaces the mobile station, contactdata must be reprogrammed into a new mobile station. Greatinefficiencies are created in this procedure because, for example, thereprogramming process may take place by laboriously typing on the keypadof the new mobile station all the desired contact data. Each time amobile station is replaced, this process must be repeated. Accordingly,efficiently providing contact data in a wireless telecommunicationsystems remains an elusive goal.

Thus, there remains a need for efficiently providing contact data inwireless telecommunication systems. In addition, there remains a needfor providing contact data to mobile stations in a wirelesstelecommunication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consistent with the present invention, methods and systems for providingcontact data in a wireless telecommunication system are provided thatavoid problems associated with prior methods and systems for providingcontact data in a wireless telecommunication system as discussed hereinabove.

In one aspect, a method for providing contact data in a wirelesstelecommunication system comprises receiving a selection remotely for acontact data record in a contact database, and transmitting the contactdata record to a memory of a mobile station.

In another aspect, a system for providing contact data in a wirelesstelecommunication system comprises a component for receiving a selectionremotely for a contact data record in a contact database, and acomponent for transmitting the contact data record to a mobile stationfor storage in a memory.

In yet another aspect, a computer-readable medium on which is stored aset of instructions for providing contact data in a wirelesstelecommunication system, which when executed perform stages comprisingreceiving a selection remotely for a contact data record in a contactdatabase using, and transmitting the contact data record to a mobilestation for storage in a memory.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of theinvention and, together with the detailed description, explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary system forproviding contact data in a wireless telecommunication system consistentwith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for providing contact datain a wireless telecommunication system consistent with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine used in the exemplarymethod of FIG. 2 for receiving a selection remotely for at least onecontact data record in a contact database consistent with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine used in the exemplarymethod of FIG. 2 for transferring wirelessly the at least one contactdata record into a memory module of a mobile station consistent with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine used in the exemplarymethod of FIG. 2 for maintaining a contact database by uploading datarecords into the contact database consistent with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to various embodiments according to thisinvention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings andwill be obvious from the description of the invention. In the drawings,the same reference numbers represent the same or similar elements in thedifferent drawings whenever possible.

Consistent with the general principles of the present invention, asystem for providing contact data in a wireless telecommunicationsystem, may comprise a component for receiving a selection remotely forat least one contact data record in a contact database using at leastone of an interactive voice response system (IVR), a voice portal, and ashort message service, and a component for transferring wirelessly theat least one contact data record into a memory module of a mobilestation in the wireless telecommunication system.

As herein embodied and illustrated in FIG. 1, a wirelesstelecommunication system 100 may comprise a base station subsystem (BSS)105, a network and switching subsystem (NSS) 110, a mobile station (MS)130, a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN) 120, a publiclyswitched packet network (PSPN) 165, a contact data server 170, a contactdatabase 175, an interactive voice response system (IVR) 180, a webfront end 185, and an Internet service provider (ISP) 190. The contactdata server 170, the contact database 175, the interactive voiceresponse system (IVR) 180, and the web front end 185 may be owned andmaintained by an operator of system 100. The elements of system 100 willbe described in greater detail below.

Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, the component forreceiving a selection remotely and the component for transferring maycomprise the contact data server 170 used in conjunction with otherelements of system 100. The mobile station may comprise mobile station130 and the contact database may comprise contact database 175. Those ofordinary skill in the art, however, will appreciate that other elementsof system 100 may comprise the component for receiving a selectionremotely, the component for transferring, the mobile station, and thecontact database. Moreover, while MS 130 may be used to select remotelythe at least one contact data record from contact database 175, otherelements such as a wire line telephone within PSTN 120 maybe used, aswell as other elements as they are known by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

System 100 may utilize global system for mobile communications (GSM),technology enhanced with general packet radio service (GPRS) inembodiments of the present invention. GSM, developed in the 1980s andpredominantly used in Europe, operate in the 900 MHz and 1.8 GHz bandsin Europe and the 1.9 GHz PCS band in the U.S. GSM phones may use asubscriber identity module (SIM) smart card that contains user accountinformation. GSM phones are automatically programmed by plugging in theSIM card, allowing GSM phones to be used interchangeably in situationssuch as renting or borrowing. In addition, GSM may include shortmessaging service (SMS) that enables text messages up to 160 charactersin length to be exchanged. GSM supports data transfer rates of 9.6 Kbpsto packet networks.

GPRS is an enhancement for GSM that supports packetized data. GPRSenables a continuous flow of Internet Protocol data packets over thetelecommunication system for applications such as Web browsing and filetransfer. GPRS differs from SMS because SMS is limited to messages of160 bytes in length, GPRS has no such limit. Additionally, those skilledin the art will appreciate that EDGE is an enhancement to the GSM andTDMA wireless telecommunication systems that increases data throughput.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other wirelesstelecommunication technology standards, in addition to GSM and GPRS, maybe employed, for example, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, CDMA2000, UTMS, and EDGE,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Wireless telecommunications may include radio transmission via theairwaves, however, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat various other telecommunication techniques can be used to providewireless transmission including infrared line of sight, cellular,microwave, satellite, blue-tooth packet radio, and spread spectrumradio. Wireless data may include, but is not limited to, paging, textmessaging, e-mail, Internet access, instant messaging, and otherspecialized data applications specifically excluding or including voicetransmission.

As shown in FIG. 1, BSS 105 may comprise, for example, a base stationcontroller (BSC) 140, a base transceiver station (BTS) 135, and a packetcontrol unit (PCU) 115. BSS 105 connects to MS 130 through a radiointerface and connects to NSS 110 through an interface 142. BSC 140controls BTS 135 and may control a plurality of other base transceiverstations in addition to BTS 135. BTS 135 may comprise radio transmissionand reception equipment located at an antenna site. Associated with BSS105, a transcoder/rate adaptation unit (TRAU) (not shown) may performspeech encoding and speech decoding and rate adaptation for transmittingdata. As a subpart of BTS 135, the TRAU may be located away from BTS135, for example, at a mobile switching center located in NSS 110. Whenthe TRAU is located in this way, the low transmission rate of speechcode channels allows more compressed transmission between BTS 135 andthe TRAU.

PCU 130 connects BSS 105 to GPRSE 125, which allows, for example, theInternet to link with MS 130. PCU 115 adds level 2 functions of GPRSsuch as data aware radio link control (RLC) and the MAC protocol layeras well as performing radio resource configuration and channelassignment.

GSM systems may use open system interconnection (OSI). There are severalcommon interfaces defined by OSI such as a common radio interface(referred to as air interface) used between MS 130 and BTS 135, and anA-bis interface 133 used between BTS 135 and BSC 140. With commoninterfaces such as those defined by OSI, a telecommunication systemoperator can utilize and interchange equipment of various manufactureswhen implementing communication systems. The difference betweeninterface and protocol is that an interface represents the point ofcontact between two adjacent entities (equipment or systems) and aprotocol provides information flows through the interface. For example,the GSM radio interface is the transit point for information flowpertaining to several protocols. Interface 142 between NSS 110 and BSS105 may comprise T-1 lines using X.25 or TCP/IP protocol, for example.

MS 130 may comprise a mobile phone, a personal computer, a handheldcomputing device, a multiprocessor system, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronic device, a minicomputer, a mainframecomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a facsimile machine, atelephone, a pager, a portable computer, or any other device forreceiving and/or transmitting information. MS 130 may utilize cellulartelephone protocols such as wireless application protocol (WAP). Suchmobile systems may also be configured to permit the user to purchaseproducts through a browser on a display of the mobile device. Theinvention, as disclosed in this embodiment, in its broadest sense is notlimited to a particular form of mobile system or communication protocol.And those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other systemsand components may be utilized within the scope and spirit of theinvention.

MS 130 may be a stand-alone piece of equipment for certain services orsupport the connection of external terminals, such as the interface fora personal computer or facsimile machine. MS 130 may include mobileequipment (ME) (not shown) or a subscriber identity module (SIM). The MEdoes not need to be personally assigned to one subscriber. GSM phones,for example, may use a SIM card that contains subscriber accountinformation, as GSM phones may be automatically programmed by pluggingin the SIM card. This allows GSM phones to be used interchangeably insituations such as renting or borrowing. When a subscriber's SIM isinserted into the ME of MS 130, all calls for the subscriber aredelivered to MS 130. Thus, the ME is not associated with a particularnumber, but rather, is linked to the subscriber's SIM.

In addition, GSM systems may include short messaging service (SMS) thatenables text messages up to 160 characters in length to be exchanged.SMS is a text message service that enables short messages of generallyno more than 140-160 characters in length to be sent and transmittedfrom mobile stations. SMS was first introduced in the GSM system andlater supported by other digital-based mobile communication systems.Unlike paging, short messages are stored and forwarded in SMS centers.SMS messages travel to mobile stations over the wirelesstelecommunication system's control channels, which are separate andapart from voice channels.

Still referring to FIG. 1, NSS 110 may comprise a mobile switchingcenter (MSC) 150, a first network 160, a home locationregister/authentication center (HLR/AUC) 146, and a gateway mobileswitching center (GMSC) 155. NSS 110 manages the communication betweensubscribers, for example, an operator using MS 130, and othertelecommunication users, for example, those using publicly switchedtelephone network (PSTN) 120. PSTN 120 may comprise, for example, theworldwide voice telephone network.

MSC 150 coordinates call set-up to and from subscribers using MS 130.MSC 150 may control several base station controllers such as, andsimilar to BSC 140. GMSC 155 is used to interface with external networksfor communication with users outside of the wireless system, such userson PSTN 120.

HLR/AUC 146 may comprise a stand-alone computer without switchingcapabilities, a database which contains subscriber information, andinformation related to the subscriber's current location, but not theactual location of the subscriber. The AUC portion of HLR/AUC 146manages the security data for subscriber authentication. Anothersub-division of HLR/AUC 146 may include an equipment identity register(EIR) (not shown), which may store data relating to mobile equipment(ME).

NSS 110 may also include a visitor location register (VLR) (not shown).The VLR links to one or more mobile switching center located on othersystems, temporarily storing subscription data of subscribers currentlyserved by MSC 150. The VLR holds more detailed data than HLR/AUC 146.For example, the VLR may hold more current subscriber locationinformation than the location information at HLR/AUC 230.

GMSC 155 is utilized to interface with PSTN 120. In order to set up arequested call, the call is initially routed to GMSC 155, that finds thecorrect home location register by knowing the director number of thesubscriber. GMSC 155 has an interface with an external network, such asPSTN 120, for gatewaying communications.

The elements of NSS 110 are connected using first network 160. Firstnetwork 160 may comprise an intelligent network utilizing signal system7 (SS7) in an ISDN user part (ISUP) protocol. SS7 is a global standardfor telecommunications defined by the Telecommunication StandardizationSector of the International Telecommunication Union. The SS7 standarddefines the procedures and protocol by which network elements in apublic switched telephone network exchange information over a digitalsignaling network to effect wireless and wireline call setup, routing,and control. ISUP defines the protocol and procedures used to set-up,manage, and release trunk circuits that carry voice and data calls overa public switched telephone network. ISUP is used for both ISDN andnon-ISDN calls. Calls that originate and terminate at the same switch donot use ISUP signaling.

As shown in FIG. 1, GPRSE 125 may comprise a serving GPRS service node(SGSN) 126, a second network 127, and a gateway GPRS service node (GGSN)128. In order to implement GPRS, two new node types may be added to aconventional GSM network, GGSN 128 and SGSN 126. Also, the interfaces tothe conventional GSM system may be augmented and an extra unit, such asPCU 115 that may be located in BSS 105 as described above, may be added.

SGSN 126 connects GPRSE 125 to BSS 105 through interface 144, which maycomprise T-1 lines using X.25 or TCP/IP protocol, for example. SGSN 126receives the traffic from mobile subscribers associated with BSS 105 andforwards the traffic to GGSN 128. SGSN 126 uses its links with HLR/AUC146 to authenticate and bill subscribers, and may provide additionalservices such as data compression, session management and encryption.

GGSN 128 acts as a gateway to PSPN 165, which is most often a publiclyswitched packet network such as the Internet. Data is sent across theGPRS network to GGSN 128, un-encapsulated, and then forwarded to thenext node. To the outside world GGSN 128 may appear as just anotherrouter on the Internet. Common features of GGSN 128 may includefirewall/packet-filtering technologies and a dynamic host configurationprotocol (DHCP) server to configure IP options of MS 130 as it logs ontothe network. DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses to client stationslogging onto a TCP/IP network. It eliminates having to manually assignpermanent IP addresses. DHCP software typically runs in servers and isalso found in network devices such as ISDN routers and modem routersthat allow multiple users access to the Internet.

SGSN 126 and GGSN 128 are connected through second network 127. Secondnetwork 127 may employ SS7 as described above and use transmissioncontrol protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP).

PSPN 165 may be accessed by MS 130 through GPRSE 125 in a conventionalmanner as is know by those of ordinary skill in the art. Likewise, PSTN120 may be accessed by MS 130 through NSS 110 in a conventional manneras is know by those of ordinary skill in the art. Either through NSS 110and PSTN 120 or GPRSE 125 and PSPN 165, MS 130 may ultimately accesscontact data server 170.

Contact data server 170 may comprise a personal computer, a handheldcomputing device, a multiprocessor system, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronic device, a minicomputer, a mainframecomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a facsimile machine, atelephone, a pager, a portable computer; or any other device forreceiving and/or transmitting information as know by those of ordinaryskill in the art. Contact database 175 may be located on storage mediain contact data server 170 or other storage media in systems, servers,or components accessible by contact data server 170. Contact database175 may at least comprise contact data that may include e-mail addressesor telephone numbers. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate, however, that the contact data may include elements otherthan e-mail addresses or telephone numbers.

Connecting contact data server 170 to PSTN 120 is IVR 180. An IVR is anautomated telephone answering system that responds with a voice menu andallows the user to make choices and enter information via the keypad.IVR systems are widely used in call centers as well as a replacement forhuman operators and may also integrate database access and fax response.Using a dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) signal such as those generatedby a telephone keypad, data may be entered into IVR 180 from atelephone, for example, MS 130 by a DTMF signal passing from MS 130through BSS 105, NSS 110, PSTN 120, and to IVR 180. From IVR 180, thedata may then be pushed onto a LAN, for example, to contact data server170 and stored in contact database 175 on contact data server 170. As anenhancement to IVR 180, a voice portal (not shown) may be employed. Witha voice portal, rather than pressing keys of the DTMF key pad, a user ofMS 130 may speak a word or phrase into the microphone of MS 130 in orderto make a menu selection.

Connecting contact data server 170 to PSPN 165 is web front end 185. Onefunction of web front end 185 is to provide an Internet interface forcontact data server 170. As is known to those skilled in the art, a “webfront end” is a computer system that receives hypertext transferprotocol (http) requests from a web browser computer program directed toa specific URL, and provides responses to the requesting computer systemthat, when processed by the web browser computer program, displays apage of the Internet web site associated with the URL. For example, anexemplary URL employed for the present invention may comprise“http://www.contactdata.com”. Directing an Internet-connected computersystem with an operative Internet web browser program at this URL causesdisplay of the home page associated with this web site on the computer'sdisplay. Such operations are well known to those skilled in the art andwill not be discussed further herein.

Rather than using GPRSE 125, MS 130 may connect to contact data server170 through NSS 110, PSTN 120, Internet service provider (ISP) 190, andthen to PSPN 165 and web front end 185. An Internet service provider isan organization that provides access to the Internet, for example, froma publicly switched telephone network. Small Internet service providersprovide service via modem and ISDN while the larger ones also offerprivate line hookups such as T1 lines or fractional T1 lines.

Method for Providing Contact Data

FIG. 2 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved inexemplary method for providing contact data in a wirelesstelecommunication system consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The implementation of the stages of exemplary method 200 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in greater detail in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5. Exemplary method200 begins at starting block 205 and proceeds to exemplary subroutine210 where a selection for at least one contact data record in contactdatabase is received. The stages of exemplary subroutine 210 are shownin FIG. 3 and will be described in greater detail below. From exemplarysubroutine 210 where at least one contact data record from contactdatabase is selected, exemplary method 200 continues to exemplarysubroutine 220 where the at least one contact data record is transferredinto a memory module of a mobile station. The stages of exemplarysubroutine 220 are shown in FIG. 5 and will be described in greaterdetail below. Once the at least one contact data record is transferredinto a memory module of a mobile station in exemplary subroutine 220,exemplary method 200 advances to exemplary subroutine 230 where contactdatabase is maintained by uploading data records into contact database.The stages of exemplary subroutine 230 are shown in FIG. 7 and will bedescribed in greater detail below. From exemplary subroutine 230,exemplary method 200 ends at stage 240.

Receiving a Selection Remotely for at Least One Contact Data Record

FIG. 3 describes exemplary subroutine 210 from FIG. 2 for receiving aselection remotely for at least one contact data record in a contactdatabase consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.Exemplary subroutine 210 begins at starting block 305 and advances todecision block 310 where it is determined if a user wishes to use IVR180. For example, the user may use MS 130 to call IVR 180. Specifically,the user may use MS 130 to call the telephone number in PSTN 120associated with IVR 180. In doing so, IVR 180 may query the user for asecurity password in order to determine if the user has authorization tointerface with server 170.

If the user wished to use IVR 180 in decision block 310, exemplarysubroutine 210 continues to stage 315 where at least one contact datarecord from contact database 175 is selected using IVR 180. For example,once the user passes security associated with IVR 180, the user may bepresented by IVR 180 with an audible menu having at least one option forobtaining contact data. The user may select the at least one option forobtaining contact data by depressing a key on a DTMF key pad of MS 130as specified by the audible menu.

From decision block 310, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use IVR 180, exemplary subroutine 210 advances to decision block 320where it is determined if the user wises to use Internet web pages. Forexample, MS 130 may be configured to send, receive, and manipulateInternet web pages utilizing, for example WAP technology. WAP is astandard for providing cellular phones, pagers, and other handhelddevices with secure access to e-mail and text-based Web pages. WAPprovides an environment for wireless applications that includes awireless counterpart of TCP/IP and a framework for telephony integrationsuch as call control. In addition, WAP may feature Wireless MarkupLanguage (WML), a streamlined version of HTML for small screen displays.

If the user wished to use Internet web pages in decision block 320,exemplary subroutine 210 continues to stage 325 where at least onecontact data record from contact database 175 is selected using Internetweb pages. For example, MS 130 may access web front end 185 eitherthrough GMSC 155, PSTN 120, ISP 190, and PSPN 165, or through GGSN 128and PSPN 165. Once web front end 185 is accessed, the user can indicatethe desired at least one contact data record in contact database 175 viadata passed through the web pages.

From decision block 320, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use Internet web pages, exemplary subroutine 210 advances to decisionblock 330 where it is determined if the user wishes to use a voiceportal. For example, the voice portal may function in much the same wayas IVR 180. Specifically, the user may be presented by the voice portalwith an audible menu having at least one option for obtaining contactdata.

If the user wished to use voice portal in decision block 330, exemplarysubroutine 210 continues to stage 335 where at least one contact datarecord from contact database 175 is selected using the voice portal. Forexample, rather than receiving data from the DTMF keypad of MS 130 as isthe case with IVR 180, for example, the user may select the at least oneoption for obtaining contact data by speaking a word as specified by anaudible menu into the microphone of MS 130.

From decision block 330, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use the voice portal, exemplary subroutine 210 advances to decisionblock 340 where it is determined if the user wishes to use shortmessaging service. For example, if a GSM system is used, the system mayinclude short messaging service (SMS) that enables text messages up to160 characters in length to be exchanged from GSM phones.

If the user wished to use short messaging service in decision block 340,exemplary subroutine 210 continues to stage 345 where at least onecontact data record from contact database 175 is selected using shortmessaging service. For example, SMS messages travel to mobile stationsover the wireless telecommunication system's control channels, which areseparate and apart from voice channels. Specifically, the user mayindicate the desired at least one contact data record from contactdatabase 175 via data passed through SMS messages to server 170.

From decision block 340, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use short messaging service, or from stages 315, 325, 335, or 345 asdescribed above, exemplary subroutine 210 continues to stage 350 andreturns to subroutine 220 of FIG. 2.

Transferring Wirelessly the at Least One Contact Data Record

FIG. 4 describes exemplary subroutine 220 from FIG. 2 for transferringwirelessly the at least one contact data record into a memory module ofa mobile station consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.Exemplary subroutine 220 begins at starting block 405 and advances tostage 410 where it is determined if the operator wishes to use IVR 180.For example, there are a plurality of paths that the operator of server170 can use, a path going through IVR 180, PSTN 120, and GMSC 155 beingone.

If the operator wished to use IVR 180 in decision block 410, exemplarysubroutine 220 continues to stage 415 where the at least one contactdata record is transferred into a memory module of mobile station 130using IVR 180. For example, the operator of server 170 may send the atleast one contact data record previously selected to MS 130 through IVR180 and PSTN 120 to GMSC 155 and ultimately to MS 130. Once the at leastone contact data record previously selected arrives at MS 130, it may bestored within memory contained within MS 130.

From decision block 410, if it is determined that the operator did notwish to use IVR 180, exemplary subroutine 220 advances to decision block420 where it is determined if the operator wishes to use Internet webpages. For example, there are a plurality of paths that the operator ofserver 170 can use, a path going through web front end 185, PSPN 165,and GGSN 128 being one, and web front end 185, PSPN 165, ISP 190, PSTN120, and GMSC 155 being another.

If the operator wished to use Internet web pages in decision block 420,exemplary subroutine 220 continues to stage 425 where the at least onecontact data record is transferred into the memory module of mobilestation 130 using the internet. For example, the operator of server 170may send the at least one contact data record previously selected to MS130 through web front end 185 PSPN 165, GGSN 128, and ultimately to MS130. Or the operator of server 170 may send the at least one contactdata record previously selected to MS 130 through web front end 185,PSPN 165, ISP 190, PSTN 120, GMSC 155, and ultimately to MS 130. Oncethe at least one contact data record previously selected arrives at MS130, it may be stored within memory contained within MS 130.

From decision block 420, if it is determined that the operator did notwish to use Internet web pages, exemplary subroutine 220 advances todecision block 430 where it is determined if the operator wishes to useshort messaging service. For example, one of the paths that the operatormay wish to use may utilize SMS messages traveling to mobile stationsover the wireless telecommunication system's control channels, which areseparate and apart from voice channels.

If the operator wished to use short messaging service in decision block430, exemplary subroutine 220 continues to stage 435 where the at leastone contact data record is transferred into the memory module of mobilestation 130 using short messaging service. For example, the operator ofserver 170 may send the at least one contact data record previouslyselected to MS 130 through the wireless telecommunication system'scontrol channels and ultimately to MS 130 as a SMS message.

From decision block 430, if it is determined that the operator did notwish to use short messaging service, or from stages 415, 425, or 435 asdescribed above, exemplary subroutine 220 continues to stage 440 andreturns to subroutine 230 of FIG. 2.

An alternative embodiment may include receiving a selection remotely forthe at least one contact data record and transferring wirelessly the atleast one contact data record are performed automatically when asubscriber identity module (SIM) is placed in mobile station 130. Forexample, GSM phones may use a SIM card that contains subscriber accountinformation, as GSM phones may be automatically programmed by pluggingin the SIM card. This allows GSM phones to be used interchangeably insituations such as renting or borrowing. When a subscriber's SIM isinserted into the ME of MS 130, all calls for the subscriber aredelivered to MS 130. Thus, the ME is not associated with a particularnumber, but rather, is linked to the subscriber's SIM. Similarly, when asubscriber's SIM is inserted into the ME of MS 130, the at least onecontact data record may be automatically selected and may beautomatically transferred to MS 130 and stored.

Maintaining Contact Database

FIG. 5 describes exemplary subroutine 230 from FIG. 2 for maintainingcontact database by uploading data records into contact databaseconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention. Exemplarysubroutine 230 begins at starting block 505 and advances to stage 510where it is determined if user wishes to use IVR. For example, the usermay use MS 130 to call IVR 180. Specifically, the user may use MS 130 tocall the telephone number in PSTN 120 associated with IVR 180. In doingso, IVR 180 may query the user for a security password in order todetermine if the user has authorization to interface with server 170.

If the user wished to use IVR 180 in decision block 510, exemplarysubroutine 230 continues to stage 515 where contact database 175 ismaintained by uploading data records into contact database 175 using IVR180. For example, once the user passes security associated with IVR 180,the user may be presented by IVR 180 with an audible menu having atleast one option for obtaining contact data. The user may select the atleast one option for uploading contact data by depressing a key on aDTMF key pad of MS 130 as specified by the audible menu.

From decision block 510, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use IVR 180, exemplary subroutine 230 advances to decision block 520where it is determined if the user wises to use Internet web pages. Forexample, MS 130 may be configured to send, receive, and manipulateinternet web pages utilizing, for example WAP technology. WAP is astandard for providing cellular phones, pagers, and other handhelddevices with secure access to e-mail and text-based Web pages. WAPprovides an environment for wireless applications that includes awireless counterpart of TCP/IP and a framework for telephony integrationsuch as call control. In addition, WAP may feature Wireless MarkupLanguage (WML), a streamlined version of HTML for small screen displays.

If the user wished to use Internet web pages in decision block 520,exemplary subroutine 230 continues to stage 525 contact database 175 ismaintained by uploading data records into contact database 175 usingInternet web pages. For example, MS 130 may access web front end 185either through GMSC 155, PSTN 120, ISP 190, and PSPN 165, or throughGGSN 128 and PSPN 165. Once web front end 185 is accessed, the user canupload contact data records into contact database 175 via data passedthrough the web pages.

From decision block 520, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use Internet web pages, exemplary subroutine 230 advances to decisionblock 530 where it is determined if the user wishes to use a voiceportal. For example, the voice portal may function in much the same wayas IVR 180. Specifically, the user may be presented by the voice portalwith an audible menu having at least one option for uploading contactdata.

If the user wished to use the voice portal in decision block 530,exemplary subroutine 230 continues to stage 535 where contact database175 is maintained by uploading data records into contact database 175using the voice portal. For example, rather than receiving data from theDTMF keypad of MS 130 as is the case with IVR 180, for example, the usermay select the at least one option for uploading contact data byspeaking a word as specified by an audible menu into the microphone ofMS 130.

From decision block 530, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use the voice portal, exemplary subroutine 230 advances to decisionblock 540 where it is determined if the user wishes to use shortmessaging service. For example, one of the paths that the operator maywish to use may utilize SMS messages traveling to mobile stations overthe wireless telecommunication system's control channels, which areseparate and apart from voice channels.

If the user wished to use short messaging service in decision block 540,exemplary subroutine 230 continues to stage 545 where contact database175 is maintained by uploading data records into contact database 175using short messaging service. For example, SMS messages travel tomobile stations over the wireless telecommunication system's controlchannels, which are separate and apart from voice channels.Specifically, the user may upload contact data records into contactdatabase 175 via data passed through SMS messages to server 170.

From decision block 540, if it is determined that the user did not wishto use short messaging service, or from stages 515, 525, 535, or 545 asdescribed above, exemplary subroutine 230 continues to stage 550 andreturns to stage 240 of FIG. 2.

It will be appreciated that a system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention can be constructed in whole or in part from specialpurpose hardware or a general-purpose computer system, or anycombination thereof. Any portion of such a system may be controlled by asuitable program. Any program may in whole or in part comprise part ofor be stored on the system in a conventional manner, or it may in wholeor in part be provided in to the system over a network or othermechanism for transferring information in a conventional manner. Inaddition, it will be appreciated that the system may be operated and/orotherwise controlled by means of information provided by an operatorusing operator input elements (not shown) which may be connecteddirectly to the system or which may transfer the information to thesystem over a network or other mechanism for transferring information ina conventional manner.

The foregoing description has been limited to a specific embodiment ofthis invention. It will be apparent, however, that various variationsand modifications may be made to the invention, with the attainment ofsome or all of the advantages of the invention. It is the object of theappended claims to cover these and such other variations andmodifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A device configured to receive a contact data record comprisingcontact information associated with a previous device, the devicecomprising: a subscriber identity module (SIM) interface configured toreceive a SIM card; a transceiver configured to facilitatecommunications between the device and a contact database in which thecontact data record is stored; a processor in communication with thetransceiver; a memory in communication with the processor, the memorybeing configured to store instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to, responsive to the SIM card beinginserted into the SIM interface: generate a request for the contact datarecord; send, via the transceiver, the request to the contact database;receive, via the transceiver, the contact data record from the contactdatabase in response to the request; and store the contact data record.2. The device of claim 1, wherein the instructions that, when executedby the processor, cause the processor to receive, via the transceiver,the contact data record from the contact database in response to therequest comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to receive, in a short message service (SMS)message, the contact data record from the contact database in responseto the request.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, via thetransceiver, the contact data record from the contact database inresponse to the request comprise instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to receive, via the Internet, the contactdata record from the contact database.
 4. The device of claim 1, whereinthe instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to store the contact data record comprise instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to store the contactdata record in the memory.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein theinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto store the contact data record comprise instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to store the contact datarecord in the SIM card.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the SIM cardis a previous SIM card that operated in the previous device.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising an input interface and theinstructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to request input of a password via theinput interface prior to generating the request for the contact datarecord.
 8. A method for receiving a contact data record at a device, themethod comprising: responsive to a subscriber identity module (SIM) cardbeing inserted into a SIM interface of the device: generating a requestfor the contact data record; sending the request to the contact databasein which the contact data record is stored, the contact data recordcomprising contact information associated with a previous device;receiving the contact data record from the contact database in responseto the request; and storing the contact data record.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein receiving the contact data record from the contactdatabase in response to the request comprises receiving, in a shortmessage service (SMS) message, the contact data record from the contactdatabase in response to the request.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinreceiving the contact data record from the contact database in responseto the request comprises receiving, via the internet, the contact datarecord from the contact database in response to the request.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein storing the contact data record comprisesstoring the contact data record in a memory of the device.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, wherein storing the contact data record comprisesstoring the contact data record in the SIM card.
 13. The method of claim8, wherein performing the method responsive to the SIM card beinginserted into the SIM interface of the device comprises performing themethod responsive to the SIM card being inserted into the SIM interfaceof the device, the SIM card being a previous SIM card that operated inthe previous device.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprisingrequesting input of a password prior to generating the request for thecontact data record.
 15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedium of a device, the computer-readable medium comprising instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform amethod comprising: responsive to a subscriber identity module (SIM) cardbeing inserted into a SIM interface of the device: generating a requestfor the contact data record; sending the request to the contact databasein which the contact data record is stored, the contact data recordcomprising contact information associated with a previous device;receiving the contact data record from the contact database in responseto the request; and storing the contact data record.
 16. The tangible,non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform the method comprising receiving the contact data record fromthe contact database in response to the request comprise instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform themethod comprising receiving, in a short message service (SMS) message,the contact data record from the contact database in response to therequest.
 17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform the method comprising receiving thecontact data record from the contact database in response to the requestcomprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform the method comprising receiving, via the internet,the contact data record from the contact database in response to therequest.
 18. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform the method comprising storing the contactdata record comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform the method comprising storing the contactdata record in the computer-readable medium.
 19. The tangible,non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform the method comprising storing the contact data recordcomprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform the method comprising storing the contact datarecord in the SIM card.
 20. The tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform themethod comprising further comprise instructions that, when executed bythe processor, cause the processor to perform the method furthercomprising requesting input of a password prior to generating therequest for the contact data record.